India, a land of diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity, has a thriving beekeeping industry. The global market shows rising interest in Indian honey because of its unique flavors along with medicinal properties. Honey exports from India will generate major market growth in the upcoming years as India stands ready to seize this international demand. The guide delivers a complete structured strategy that demonstrates how to handle the complex process of exporting honey from India during 2025. Let’s start with a detailed overview of honey exports.
India’s Growing Role in the Global Honey Market and Export Opportunities
Indian honey manufacturers produce various types of honey throughout the country’s different farming climates, where they create both single-flower specific blends like Jamun and Acacia and multi-flower mixture products. India produces approx. 133,000 metric tons (MTs) of honey each year. The main honey-producing regions in India consist of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, along with Karnataka. Indian consumers maintain strong domestic honey consumption, but the country now plays an important role in worldwide honey trade. The global honey market achieved a value of $8.94 billion during 2023, and forecasts indicate a market expansion up to $15.59 billion by 2032.
Indian honey is exported to major markets throughout the European Union, together with the United States, along with many markets in Asia and the Middle East. Global honey imports show strong demand from both the EU and US areas. APEDA, together with Export Promotion Councils, serves as essential government bodies that provide vital support and facilitation for the export of honey. However, Indian honey exporters face ongoing quality challenges alongside strict international standards but can fulfill growing worldwide demand for natural and healthy food products. According to Dataversee inc data, in 2023-24, India shipped out 107.90 (approx.) metric tons of natural honey, valued at $177.52 million. The main countries receiving Indian honey were the United States, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Libya.
Exporting honey from India requires accurate knowledge about current trade agreements and regulatory updates, such as updates to Codex Alimentarius standards and EU honey regulations, to succeed.
Top Exporters of Honey Worldwide
Various nations actively compete to become key participants in the worldwide honey industry. Honey is produced in various regions. However, certain areas are gradually becoming major exporters, playing a key role in the global honey supply. The leading manufacturers achieve export success for several reasons. These include having ideal beekeeping conditions, large production capacity, and well-developed international markets. Let’s take a closer look at the leading players in the global honey export arena for the year 2023.
| Rank | Country | Export Value (Milllion USD) | Export Volume (Metric Tons) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | $254.22 | 152,636 |
| 2 | New Zealand | $243.30 | 9,859 |
| 3 | Argentina | $177.59 | 73,120 |
| 4 | India | $170.95 | 98,300 |
| 5 | Ukraine | $121.38 | 55,358 |
| 6 | Germany | $118.54 | 18,818 |
| 7 | Spain | $113.87 | 27,352 |
| 8 | Brazil | $85.26 | 28,563 |
| 9 | Hungary | $70.86 | 25,100 |
| 10 | Mexico | $51.33 | 16,784 |
What to Prepare Before Exporting Honey from India (Pre-export Preparations)
Successful export of Indian honey demands detailed planning from start to end. The export process requires implementing important measures to ensure compliance, quality, and a smooth export process. A successful export business of honey starts:
Business Registration and Licensing:
- The first step requires registration at the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) as an exporter to obtain an Importer-Exporter Code (IEC).
- A Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) license served as the essential requirement to sell honey as a food product for export activities.
- Register for a GST to understand how it affects the export transaction process.
Quality Control and Certifications:
- Follow international quality standards like Codex Alimentarius and the specific regulations of importing countries (e.g., EU honey regulations).
- A HACCP certification establishes your dedication to food security and fulfills the needs for exporting products.
- To boost your credibility, you should look into Agmark certification even though it’s primarily for the domestic market.
- Explore certifications like organic or fair trade if applicable, as these can increase market value.
Sourcing and Production:
- Develop reliable partnerships with reliable beekeepers or suppliers to secure dependable, high-quality honey supplies.
- Implement detailed documentation for honey supply chain tracking, which includes its points of origin and processing activities.
- Promote and implement Good Beekeeping Practices (GBP) for sustainable and ethical honey production.
- Regularly test and analyze your honey for key parameters like moisture content, pollen count, and antibiotic residues to guarantee quality and compliance.
Export Documentation and Procedures for Exporting Honey
Every exporter needs to master all honey export paperwork and procedures because this knowledge guarantees shipment success. The process of clearing customs and enabling smooth business operations depends heavily on reliable documentation.
Essential Export Documents
A set of key documents is required for every honey export shipment:
- Commercial Invoice: Details the transaction, including product description, quantity, price, and payment terms.
- Packing List: Specifies the contents of each package, including weights and dimensions.
- Certificate of Origin: Certifies the country where the honey was produced, often required for preferential tariffs.
- Phytosanitary Certificate: Assures that the honey is free from pests and diseases, issued by the relevant plant quarantine authority.
- Health Certificate: Confirms the honey’s fitness for human consumption, often required by importing countries.
- Bill of Lading/Airway Bill: Acts as a receipt for the shipment and provides details for tracking.
- Other Documents: Depending on the destination country and specific requirements, other documents like insurance certificates, inspection certificates, or specific declarations may be necessary. It’s crucial to check with the importing country’s regulations.
Export Procedure
- Obtain an Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) from the DGFT, a prerequisite for all exporters.
- Prepare and file shipping bills electronically through the customs portal.
- Complete customs clearance procedures, which may involve physical inspection of the goods.
- Engage a clearing agent or freight forwarder to streamline the customs process and manage logistics.
- Understanding the Harmonized System (HS) code for honey is vital for accurate tariff classification. Honey is typically classified under HS code 040900.
- Utilize online export platforms and portals, where available, to simplify documentation and communication.
Packaging and Labeling Requirements
A proper packaging design is necessary both for protecting honey quality and to stop deterioration during transport. Food packaging materials used in exports need to be food-grade. Specific regulations define which materials are acceptable to use with allowed container types. Labeling requirements are equally important. Labels must display such information as the product name, ingredients (if any), nutritional information, net weight, origin (country of production), and the exporter’s details. International labeling standards along with the regulations of the target country must be followed for success in the exportation process.
Logistics and Shipping
Apart from the packaging and labeling, if you want to deliver the honey to its destination safely, then you need proper logistics and shipping sources. Choosing the right shipping method—sea freight, air freight, or courier services—depends on factors like cost, transit time, and the destination. The partnership with qualified freight forwarders and logistics experts enables smoother operation processes.
The shipping process between buyer and seller depends heavily on Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) because these rules determine their respective obligations regarding economic responsibility as well as risk management. You need to obtain insurance coverage that defends your shipment from harm and theft throughout transportation. Since honey is sensitive to temperature, proper handling and control are essential. Both large shipments and specific honey varieties need special attention to maintain their quality during transportation.
Success in Honey Export Business
Creating a successful export business for honey needs focused dedication and precise attention pointing toward high-quality standards. You can achieve success in the global honey market through thorough understanding of regulations alongside logistics and marketing fundamentals. The export business flourishes best when you track market trends alongside your competitor activity. With Dataversee platform, you receive complete import and export trade data, including the past year’s data as well. You will get data of more than 70+ countries in a single click. It will help in your refining your honey export strategy and give you a competitive advantage in your business. Get in touch with us to get a free demo of our portal.
